The posts between my hammock creak softly as I sway back and forth. The deep bass music of a passing car mixes with the rustle of the trees and an airplane passing overhead. It's a quiet Tuesday night, and a new familiar feeling keeps nagging me. I'm grateful for the space to heal my body … Continue reading Ashes & Altars
Confessions
My heart pounded as I gripped the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white. Almost there, Alicia, keep driving, you’re almost there. Shallow gasps of air mixed with a stifling fear. I felt out of control, trapped in a horrible nightmare of green foliage and solitude. The very thing that once brought joy and … Continue reading Confessions
On Loss and Grace and Saying Goodbye
Re-entry, culture shock, the business of moving between countries and cultures... I should have these things "figured out" by now. Since high school graduation, I have lived in 3 countries, worked 9 different jobs, and resided in 7 different houses, trailers, or apartments (not counting short moves like Bible School, temporary living in my friends' … Continue reading On Loss and Grace and Saying Goodbye
Why Vision and Personal Development Need Each Other
I was a happily naive 18-year old at the time. Driving by the homeless shelter on Prince Street on my way home from work nearly every day drove me to this grand idea. After work one chilly fall day, I parked outside the large brick building armed with cookies divided up in little ziploc bags. … Continue reading Why Vision and Personal Development Need Each Other
On Motorcycles, Malaysia, and Missions
Thanks to the influence of coming from a family of boys, I’ve dreamt of riding/driving a motorcycle ever since I was maybe 12. Finally mustered up enough courage to get my permit last spring, and cruising the back roads nearby was easily a highlight of last summer. Wobbly and unsteady as I was (am), riding … Continue reading On Motorcycles, Malaysia, and Missions
Collaborating: Third Culture Adults and Those Who Are Not
Megan* grew up in three different countries on two continents. She speaks two languages, enjoys pickled chicken feet for a snack, and currently lives half a world away from her family. As a TCK in the early stages of adulthood, she has a very broad outlook on life and the world around her while wrestling … Continue reading Collaborating: Third Culture Adults and Those Who Are Not
Missions, Feelings & The Unexpected
I didn't like cities. As a young prairie child, going to the city meant an hour-long drive one way, hours of grocery shopping, traffic, general traffic noise, and more grocery shopping. It was generally the worst way for a girl to spend a Saturday. A few years later in middle school, we watched a little … Continue reading Missions, Feelings & The Unexpected
Imperfection
My avid, author-prone friends say writing is hard. I didn't agree... It came and comes naturally on journal pages and word documents that fill up rapidly when there is a story or idea to remember. Writing is easy... until the blank card for my friend's baby shower stares up at me and the research paper … Continue reading Imperfection
Third Culture Kid: The Collision
I was 19 years old, sitting in a counseling office, convinced the weight of the world was on my shoulders. The reasons for being there that day were varied and loose. I still don't remember what we talked about in that short time except for one statement. "You are a third culture kid, Alicia." She … Continue reading Third Culture Kid: The Collision
Third Culture Kid: The Memoir
//the backdrop for any one person is always the story. It's significant to the individual, but not always to the general public. In the next few paragraphs below, I am attempting to summarize the first half of my life in the hopes that the second half might be more understandable. This is part two of … Continue reading Third Culture Kid: The Memoir
Musings of a Twenty-Something 